Italy Graduate Visa Types and Application Processes

One of the most popular countries for international students, Italy offers master's degree programs that last 2 years. Due to the academic knowledge, second language learning, cultural awareness and professional skills that master's degree programs provide, Italy is among the countries that accept the most international students each year. Creative and technical disciplines such as art, design, humanities, engineering and architecture are among the most preferred master's degree programs in Italy, and Italian master's degrees are accepted worldwide.

Italy is preferred by students residing in Turkey due to its proximity to Turkey, cultural environment and graduate programs that provide 100% English education. Milan, Bologna and Rome are among the cities in Italy that Turkish students prefer to study for a master's degree. The most frequently preferred departments for applications from Turkey to study for a master's degree in Italy are; medicine, engineering, architecture, international relations, business, fine arts, law, economics and finance.

Foreign citizens who are accepted to a master's program at a higher education institution in Italy are required to obtain a long-term Italian master's visa.

Where to Apply for an Italian Graduate Visa?

Italian graduate visa applications can be made through Idata Istanbul visa application center, VFS Global's application centers in Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and Gaziantep, and accredited agencies, depending on the applicant's place of residence.

What are the Required Documents for an Italian Graduate Visa?

The documents required for an Italian graduate visa are listed below.

Passport : For the Italian graduate visa application, a passport valid for at least 90 days after the expiration date of the requested visa, issued within the last 10 years and containing at least 2 blank pages is required. Photocopies of the processed pages of the passport and old passports, if any, must be made and added to the application file.
Biometric photo : For the Italian national visa application, 2 passport-sized photographs must be submitted, without retouching, taken within the last 6 months, in compliance with biometric features and with a white background.
Italy graduate visa application form : The Italy national visa application form must be filled out completely and accurately by the applicant student, and the signature box on the 37th item and the last page must be signed and dated before submission. The education option for the purpose of travel must be selected in the 21st question of the national visa application form.
Master's program registration document : The registration document, which proves that the student has been accepted to the master's program in Italy and includes the details of the education program and the start and end dates, must be declared in the visa application.
Education registration fee : The student must submit a document showing the education registration fee paid to the Italian higher education institution to which he/she was accepted.
Diploma : Foreign students who want to travel to Italy for graduate studies must present a diploma documenting the university and undergraduate program they graduated from.
Travel health insurance : Students who will travel to Italy must add a travel health insurance valid in the entire Schengen area, covering the entire travel date and with a coverage of at least 30,000 Euros to the required documents for an Italian graduate visa.
Reservation information : Students accepted to a master's program in Italy must submit documents such as a rental contract or reservation document regarding the location where they will stay in Italy during their visa application. If the student finds their accommodation after arriving in Italy, a reservation or invitation valid for the first 2 weeks in Italy is accepted.
Proof of financial status : Documents showing the financial source of the visa applicant or the sponsoring first-degree relative, such as bank statements and pay slips, must be included in the national visa application file.
Population registration copy : Postgraduate students whose livelihood is provided by their families are required to submit a fully certified copy of their population registration along with their parents' work documents.
Copy of ID : A copy of the Republic of Turkey ID card of the student applying for an Italian graduate visa must be added to the documents required for the application.
Italy visa fee : The national visa fee required for the Italian graduate visa application must be paid in cash at the visa application center and the receipt must be attached to the application file.

How Much Money Do I Need in the Bank for an Italian Graduate Visa?

Foreign students who want to get an Italian graduate visa must prove that they have sufficient financial resources for the entire period they will be in Italy. In the Italian graduate visa application, the student must submit a bank statement showing a minimum monthly balance of 448.07 Euros for each academic term, and a total annual balance of 5824.91 Euros.

How Long Does a Master's Degree Take in Italy?

Master's programs in Italy last 2 years in thesis programs. Some higher education institutions in Italy have 1-year non-thesis master's programs. Some Italian master's programs, which conduct research and professional skills in order to specialize the student in the field they graduated from, such as fashion and design, can provide education for 1 year.

How to Extend a 2-Year Master's Visa in Italy?

The 2-year Italian graduate visa granted to students enrolled in a graduate program in Italy can be extended by applying for a residence permit. Foreign students who are not citizens of the European Union must apply for a residence permit within the first 8 days of entering Italy. The residence permit procedures required to extend the 2-year graduate visa in Italy are carried out at the local post office of the city of residence.

How Much Is the Italy Master Visa Fee?

The Italian master visa fee is 1336 Turkish lira and must be paid in cash at the visa application center on the appointment day. As of 2022, for Italian master visa applications; a fee of 260 Euros must be paid for all consultancy services, sworn translation, biometric procedures, form and petition filling services.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Italy Graduate Visa?

Italy graduate visa is normally granted to the applicant within an average of 4-5 business days. An additional 2 business days are added to the application procedures made from İdata Kadıköy, Bursa and Trabzon branches. In Italy graduate visa applications, processing times may vary depending on the applicant's nationality and the period in which the application is made. For citizens of some countries other than Turkey, the completion of visa procedures takes an average of 15 days.

Especially before the Turkish and Italian holidays, during periods when the workload of the Italian Consulate General increases and for national visa applications, the processing time may be longer. It is recommended that students who want to travel to Italy for graduate education apply for a visa as early as possible and at a suitable time before the travel start date. The Italian graduate visa process can be followed online via Idata and VFS Global, depending on the intermediary institution where the application is made.

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